How True Friendship Ignites Lasting Love?
A timeless bond of friendship first and love forever
Friendship is where you share an emotional connection, trust, and mutual support, while in love you experience physical attraction, a deep emotional intensity, and romantic desires. But what if you have a friendship with your love?
Every one of us has a different story about what first attracted us to the love of our life. It might be the looks, similarities, supportive nature, sense of humor, or shared experiences. Whatever it is, with just them you cannot build your relationship.
It’s true that physical attraction is undoubtedly a part of a good relationship but it took me some time to realize that we cannot form a strong bond on looks alone, but there’s a lot more.
Although I was initially attracted to a few people based on their looks, I ultimately fell in love with a person with whom I discovered something beyond that — and it is friendship. When my friends asked me what I liked more about him, I first didn’t know what. But at some point in life, I realized it was the connection we had.
If you do not like someone’s personality and cannot converse with them, the relationship won’t last long no matter how attractive you find it. This is why you need a connection and it comes through friendship.
“Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together.” — Woodrow Wilson
Research indicates that couples who share a strong friendship experience significantly higher levels of marital satisfaction and the emotional bond is considered five times more crucial than their physical intimacy.
What is friendship in love?
I knew that for a successful relationship, we need to be friends. But until I fell in love with my man, I was confused about what it is exactly to be friends in love. What is actually the role of friendship in love?
Research shows that Friendship in love is the deep and genuine bond between two people who are not both romantic partners and trusted friends. It is simply a mix of romantic love, understanding, and companionship.
A strong friendship in love is being able to communicate openly, listen to each other, and understand each other’s needs and emotions. And it involves being there for each other through joys and challenges in life.
Friendship in love is an aspect that is powerful and enriching to make it more meaningful.
Reasons why you need to build friendship in love
Builds a better communication
Friendship in a romantic relationship creates the foundation for open and honest communication. Me and my partner who share a deep friendship will feel comfortable sharing things with each other.
I feel valued and heard by my partner as he listens and understands me and this gives me a sense of safety. Friendship enables partners to openly share their thoughts, fears, and emotions. They instinctively respect and support each other, nurturing a bond built on mutual trust and genuine care.
Get to know each other
Friendship especially before love will help you to rediscover your partner. When you be friends, you will have a unique understanding of each other’s preferences, interests, and desires.
When you get to know each other, it allows you to constantly surprise one another. These are small but are meant to be meaningful acts of affection that provide a sense of excitement and appreciation.
Through the lens of friendship, you will be able to experience the magic of love.
Allows you to be yourself
If you have a friendship with your love, it grants freedom to be genuine. You don’t have to wear masks in front of each other instead allows you to be yourself by embracing imperfections and nurturing a safe space.
“Friendship is the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words.” — George Eliot
One can unveil their true self without the fear of judgment in such a heartfelt connection by fostering mutual understanding, empathy, and acceptance. Friendship stays as a backbone of love allowing both partners to flourish in the fullness of who they are.
Avoid the stigma of ex
Most probably we all are someone’s ex and as an ex, we are probably going to be perceived as someone who somehow did something wrong to the other person. When you enter into a relationship, you will probably get some issues with your partner’s ex even if you see them in pictures with your partner, and will be less accepting of them as your partner’s friend.
We usually think that exes don’t make good friends because the chemistry between two people never dies. But the fact is, it is the love that doesn’t die but the chemistry won’t work. So it takes trust and maturity between two individuals to accept them and make sure such issues won’t destroy the relationship.
Final thoughts
Friendship plays a transformative role in love enhancing the depth and richness of a romantic relationship. It is beyond physical attraction and sparks a genuine emotional connection, allowing partners to openly share their thoughts and emotions, creating a sense of safety and understanding.
Ultimately, building a strong friendship in love sets the foundation for a meaningful and enduring relationship that stands the test of time.
“Rare as is true love, true friendship is rarer.” — Jean de la Fontaine
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